What Retiring Later Means for Your Investment Portfolio and Your Life

English: Brocastle Manor retirement complex A new development of apartments and a retirement home on the Brocastle estate. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

In case you're one of the rare 60-somethings who isn't close to retiring in this super awesome economy, then you've probably decided to forego retirement in lieu of another couple of years in the workforce. You're not alone. More and more people are working past 65 nowadays, deciding to push off the Golden Years for another couple of years or even decades. 

Thanks to this recession and the 2008/2009 stock market crash, many soon-to-be-retirees have lost their jobs and seen their finances in disarray. Hence, they now need to work longer just to support their lifestyle. If you're one of these people, I'm sorry to hear that. But what does postponing your retirement mean for your finances (investment portfolio) and your lifestyle? Is it all doom and gloom? The short answer is no. 

The long answer is a little more complicated than that. 

Think of this as opportunity

The Chinese word for crisis, as you might or might not know, literally translates into "danger" "opportunity". Courtesy of some 3000 year old philosopher who invented this word is a bit of wisdom. Behind every danger, there is opportunity. So instead of lamenting how the stock market crash wiped out half of your savings, think of this as your golden opportunity. 

Be glad that you are in the peak of your earning years - your paycheck could probably never be higher in this same type of economy (thanks to seniority). That means that you can plow all of your new savings into this market, and potentially buy stocks at very cheap prices! When the economy recovers, you'll make a killing! Like Warren Buffett says "buy when others are fearful". Thus, your retirement will be even better than it could have been without the opportunity to buy stocks in this poor economy. 

Now, if you've read my blog post before, you'd know that I think stocks are overpriced in the short term. But when the stock market correction does happen, that will be golden opportunity for anyone with the money to buy stocks. That's also why the rich-poor gap tends to widen. When the economy turns south, the poor are worse off than before. But the resilient will use this as an opportunity to bloom (financially) when the economy (and stock market) gets on track. 

Real Estate

Did you know that in the past year, more people joined the upper class than ever before? You're probably pretty shocked right now, because you'd think that everyone is dying and the world's coming to an end in this crappy economy. On the contrary, many of these new-found rich folks acquired their riches by investing in real estate, particularly rental real estate. 

Like I said before, this crappy economy is your golden opportunity. In your peak earning years, you have a huge advantage over youngsters - you're making more than they are, and in the right time too. Now is the best time to invest in real estate, with prices at rock bottom. 

On a side note, I'd like to share a story about investing in real estate rentals. 

The gist of the lesson is simple - go after commercial residential,  not residential. Here's why. 

A while back, I had a friend who rented a house out to these two young adults. At first, things were ok, as the couple paid the rent on time. But after a few months, things started going downhill real fast. It turns out that they did absolutely NO maintenance or cleaning on the house - it looked like a pig pen. Worse, the male was an alcoholic, meaning that there was a lot of domestic unrest and abuse going on. The couple had a child not because they loved children or had it by "accident", but because the government in their part of the country gives each family with a baby $2000 a month. 

Eventually, the government cut this funding, so the couple stopped paying, and because the law protects those who rent over the owners of the property, my friend couldn't even evict his tenants (they were getting rent for free!). What ended up happening was that there were reports of drug use in the house, the police raided the house and forced my friend's tenants to move. My friend got lucky. 

Case in point - in residential real estate law, the law protects those who rent. In commercial real estate law, the law protects the property owners. If you have A-holes for tenants - watch out. 

Stay Fit

Since you need to push back retirement now, it makes sense that you need to stay fit to live longer. There's no sense in buying a ton of stocks only to die 3 days before you retire because of a heart attack (obesity!). 

But if you think of it this way, by retiring later, you're essentially forced to stay fit (if you aren't already fit). Being fit can have a hugely positive impact on your life - you feel better, life is easier, you look better, and you live longer. When you're fit, you can do so many things that you could do before. Let's take myself as an example. Although I'm nowhere near retirement age (I'm only 27), I find that being "jacked" (as my friends like to say) has an insanely positive impact on my life - I can lift heavier things (more housework), I can enjoy more of life like extreme sports, and my girlfriend loves it :P. 

The Conclusion

So this recession isn't what we all wanted. I get that. No one wakes up and says "God, please get me fired today." But let's try to make the most of a bad situation  And you know the funny thing? A lot of times, by making the most of a bad situation we actually end up in a better situation than we would have been WITHOUT the "crisis" (danger, opportunity). 

Troy is an ex-entrepreneur and full time investor. He constantly scours the world, looking for great investment opportunities that will one day (hopefully) make him a centibillionaire  In addition, he likes to write about finance, investing, and trading (for all y'all traders out there). If you like this post, feel free to check out his blog.

4 Ways to Pay Less When Shopping Online

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These days there are plenty of ways to save money. The Internet has helped to give people greater opportunities when it comes to not only saving cash, but also making a bit of extra income. If you want to learn how to save money online, then read the following points. These points will give you a better idea of how you can be more frugal and end up getting a little more for your money.

Rebate Sites

A lot of people use rebate websites in order to create passive income. Rebate websites include sites like EBates, Panda CashBack and Big Crumbs. The type of rebate site that you join will depend on what sort of shopping you do online, as well as how frequently you visit the retailer. Each of these sites will give you a percentage of money that you will receive if you buy from that retailer. In order to sign up for these rebate websites, all you need to do is go to the front page and click the "signup" link. This way you will immediately start saving money and getting cash back on the purchases you make.

Mailing Lists

Businesses want to promote themselves, and mailing lists are a common method. Signing up with various deals and coupon websites will allow you to receive updates on discounts and coupons. When you join a mailing list you will often be able to select what kind of updates you get. For example, if you want to find out about the latest clothing discounts, then you will be able to select that option. This is a way for marketers to target the people they are looking for. Consumers also benefit from this.

Promotional Codes

Promotional codes are one of the most common ways of saving cash online. Visiting websites like yourpromocode.com will allow you to view a list of different coupon codes for various products. Mailing lists are also going to give you information regarding some of the latest codes that are out at the moment. When you go onto the website, take down the code. You can then type this code beside the product display on a retailer's website. This allow you to pay a lower price. With promotional codes consumers can save on delivery, pay lower prices and receive special gifts as well.

Credit Cards

Different online retailers will offer different ways for customers to pay. Paypal is probably one of the most frequently used websites out there. Many consumers will also use their credit cards in order to pay. There are some retailers who have special deals with credit card companies. Individuals who use those cards will then be able to take advantage of lower prices.

These are just four simple ways by which you can save cash when you shop online. In an economy where people are looking to save every penny, these methods will give you a fantastic opportunity to keep the cash in your pocket.

Is it In You to Move? Considerations You Have to Face

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No matter how much we try to deny it, age is an ever present deterrent for many activities. Moving from one place to another can put a great deal of undue stress on our bodies. There is nothing wrong with getting older, but it is a constant reminder that there just may be a few things we simply can't handle on our own anymore. When it comes time to move, there are a few aspects we need to keep in mind.

1. Too Heavy - Although you may be in great physical condition, there is nothing wrong with getting help to move some of the heavier objects. In fact, it is better to put as little strain on your body as possible. Many of us face a variety of illnesses and overexertion could cause some of these instances to flare up. It is wise to err on the side of caution and not give the doctor another reason to stick you with a needle.

2. Budget Planning - Moving can be quite expensive depending on how much stuff you have and how many friends and family are available to help you. It could cost a couple hundred dollars for you to move and budgeting the extra expense into your monthly allotment may be quite difficult.

3. Materials - Although this could be rolled into budget planning above, you'll need to gather materials for your move. Boxes can get expensive if you need a lot of them. And what are the chances of you using the box once you're done moving? Grocery stores and outlets of all kinds regularly toss boxes out to the recycling bins or offer these items to those who request having them.

4. High School Element - If you need additional help moving, never underestimate the power of a teenager. Many high schools will offer programs to help those in our, well, waning years. Even an ad in the paper or flyers pinned to grocery stores looking for teens to help you move could be beneficial. This is especially easy to do in the summer as teenagers are always looking for a few extra dollars for the season.

5. Avoid Holidays - If you can avoid moving during holidays, you may be better off. Holidays tend to increase traffic on the road and make for a miserable time trying to get to your location. This is aside from the fact that good help may be next to impossible to find.

6. Nice and Easy - Unless your move is spur of the moment, taking your time to pack and transport your belongings from one place to another can save a great deal of energy and stress. When you are trying to rush to get out, your valuables can be broken in transport. Moving shouldn't be a hard pressed race against the clock.

Although you may not be able to afford a moving company to help you relocate, there is nothing wrong with turning to friends and family for help. Whether you or a friend has grandchildren, there are many people you can enroll in order to help you. Most of these people can be hired for free. It's not exploitation if you guilt-trip your children and grandchildren into helping you. That's one of the joys of being a grandparent.

This article is contributed by Madoline Hatter. Madoline is a freelance writer and blog junkie from ChangeOfAddressForm.com. You can reach her at: m.hatter12 @ gmail. com.

Scared of Loans? 4 Reasons You Shouldn't Be

While borrowing money is something that we’re all taught to avoid if possible, there are times when talking to a reputable lender is something that can actually provide some sort of benefit. Loans aren’t something to be scared of all the time. In fact, they’re there to help you accomplish goals and get through crises in a stress-free manner. Here are some reasons why you should be comfortable borrowing money in certain situations that may arise later on. 

Aid When Buying a Home

As one of the biggest purchases anyone of us will make, property is something that basically no one can save up for. This means that a mortgage is the only way forward, giving us the finances that we need for the massive amount of money required. If you choose a loan with an affordable interest rate, you can then buy a place to live in that will also appreciate in value over time. Once you’re finished paying everything back as required by your lender, you’ll have increased your assets and can earn extra cash by selling your home in the future.

Support in an Emergency

There are times when life throws something in your face that you’re simply not prepared for. Whether you end up in hospital or your automobile is damaged, you’ll need some extra cash to get yourself back to normal. Here, talking to a lender such as www.creditnoble.co.uk is a smart idea as they can give you the cash you require to sort out your issues in a flash. In this case, only borrow enough to cover these emergency costs and make sure you can handle the repayments later on. Just because you’re in a crisis doesn’t mean you have to be desperate and thoughtless.

Assistance with Education

There’s a saying that money spent on self-improvement is a worthwhile investment. If you don’t have enough cash to put towards a degree or certificate, borrowing money can be a smart idea. While you’ll have to cover repayments during study, you’ll end up more employable as a result. This means that the interest you end up paying on your loan will then be returned to you in the form of a higher income once you graduate. Taking out some credit is a great way to develop your skills and knowledge if you don’t have the money required for the course you’re interested in.

Help with Home Renovations

Lastly, you might want to improve your living environment by knocking down a wall or building an outdoor swimming pool. Projects such as this are quite expensive but can be worthwhile as they increase the value of your home. This is why borrowing money is a great idea yet again as the interest you have to pay should hopefully be covered by the additional money you get once you sell your property later on. Not only that, but your home improvement loan will also give you the chance to enjoy a comfortable, attractive domestic setting in the years before you sell as well!

About the Author Creditnoble is a marketing company in the United Kingdom that specialises in financial products and services such as instant loans. Visit their website at www.creditnoble.co.uk for more details. 

4 Ways to Have a Home from the Future Right Now

Everybody wants to be ahead of the curve when it comes to the latest household furnishings and home goods. But, when trading contemporary style for trends of the not-so-distant future, there are certain elements every homeowner should keep in mind. Here are just a few ways homeowners can integrate the future into their furnishings without waiting for the next millennium. 

1. Furniture Ahead of the Times

In terms of futuristic furniture, items don't necessarily have to be light years ahead to function like they're from the future. Modular designs can make a tired living room look like the next interior design movement. Mod furniture, like two-in-one table fridges are space conscious and stylishly advanced.

And truly futuristic furniture that's both aesthetically pleasing and technically advanced is available for the modern times. Tech-savvy "smart beds" not only automatically adjust firmness by sensing pressure points in the body, they can also adjust room temperature depending on a person's resting body temperature. 

2. Artificial Intelligence for the Home

Homeowners looking for futuristic elements throughout the home should look no further than smart home systems. A smart home allows the homeowner to control everything from room temperature to the adjusting of drapery and window blinds to the drawing of a hot bath all from a handheld tablet or smart phone.

As an added benefit, smart home systems can even integrate security into a home's intelligence. Intuitive security features such as remote security system arming, lights that turn on automatically from room to room, and advanced security cameras that can tell the difference between trespassers and guests are all on the market now. 

3. Advanced Appliances

A home is only as futuristic as the appliances within it. So it's no surprise there are more and more appliances coming out every day that seem to outsmart their users. Take, for instance, ovens that automatically bake meals to perfection just based on food type. Not only that, but meal presets are available to achieve that same great taste every time.

What about a refrigerator that reminds people when it's time to pick up more eggs or that the milk has reached its expiration date? Well, grocery-list-savvy fridges are available today, and they're ready to keep you in the know about your dairy. 

4. Home Efficiency

Alternative energy is going to play an important role in the future, so why not have an energy-efficient house now? Solar panel shingles and auto-darkening windows that adjust to sunlight intensity are just the beginning of energy-conscious homes.

Also, on the market this very moment are heating and cooling systems that are aware of the seasons. In other words, a home's temperature can adjust according to outdoor temperatures, while the homeowner is at work or out-of-town. So now the homeowner can save the planet while saving money on heating and cooling.

From beds that have the homeowner's comfort in mind to houses that run off tablets, it's possible for your future home to take place in the present.

Is a Financial Advisor Group Right For You?

Financial planning and making investments is something many people dread, whether in a small business or their personal life. However, to make a decent return on your money, these are necessary evils. 

Before fretting over stock splits and mutual funds, though, ask yourself a simple question: Do I have the time, knowledge, and expertise to manage my funds? Or would it be better left to professionals? 

Helping with Retirement: Will You Have Enough Saved?

Will I have enough money to retire? That's a question faced by millions of Americans. If you aren't the type of person that keeps track of where every penny you make is spent or you have trouble saving, then a financial planner could be a perfect fit for you.


Likewise, if you own a small business but have difficulty dealing with your balance sheet, net income statement, or cash flows, then a financial advisor will be a benefit to you. They can help you go over the numbers to make a profit and save money. 

Investment Knowledge: Do You Know How to Manage a Portfolio?

Market knowledge is a key element in any investment portfolio. Do you have the know-how to balance and manage your stock and bonds without losing money? If the answer is no, then financial advisors can help you meet your monetary goals. Always look at advisors' track record and certifications and make sure they're legitimate.

Long-established advisors such as the Fisher Investments Private Client Group, for example, have a successful history that speaks for itself. That way, you can take the headaches out of whether to buy or sell, or which stock is going to be the next hot buy. 

Saving Time: Are You Willing to Sacrifice Free Time?

When it comes to managing your investments, remember that it's a full-time job. It requires you to check your investments and market conditions on at least an every other day basis.

So ask your yourself: Do I really want to spend what little free time I have sifting through stock quotes and financial statements? That's why advisors are a great fit for those with demanding jobs and families; so you can keep your free time available for doing what you love. 

Achieving Goals: Do You Know What Your Goals Are?

If you don't have a firm grasp on your financial future -- i.e. what to buy, how much to buy, how much you need to earn, etc. -- then finance professionals can help. They can help you set your financial goals, which is what many overlook.

Retirement aside, do you need extra capital for your business? Do you need to put your kids through college? Do you want money for a down payment? All these are pertinent questions that your advisor will help you answer. 

Overcoming Adversity: What risks are Involved?

With the many Americans still struggling from a rollercoaster economy, the ability to assess risk in your investments is important. By hiring a financial professional, he/she can advise you on the degrees of risk of your portfolio. By taking this advice, you can make more sound financial plans, and avoid losing heaps of money in a down market.

While hiring a financial advisor may not be the best plan for everyone, it certainly comes with many benefits, especially for those who are a little less market-savvy. Remember, when choosing a financial advisor, make sure to find one that you're comfortable with and that fits you.